Mindfulness Training plus Nature Exposure for Veterans with Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders: A Model Intervention

Abstract

There is a need to develop novel complementary interventions aimed at enhancing treatment engagement and/or response for veterans with psychiatric and substance use disorders. There is evidence that both mindfulness training and nature exposure (MT/NE) may be beneficial for this population and that combining the two approaches into one intervention might result in synergistic benefit. However, to date, the MT/NE concept has not been tested. This article reports a pilot feasibility and acceptability study of MT/NE which was, in this case, provided via recreational sailing. The primary aim of this project was to develop a model intervention and evaluation process that could be used for future studies of MT/NE interventions using a variety of methods of nature exposure (e.g., hiking, skiing, mountain biking). Results indicate preliminary evidence that it is feasible to utilize MT/NE interventions for the population studied and that the MT/NE model described can serve as a template for future investigations. Further, there were significant pre- to post-intervention decreases in state anxiety, as well as increases in trait mindfulness. Three psychological instruments were identified that might be used in future studies to evaluate MT/NE outcomes. Results from this project provide a model MT/NE intervention template along with evaluation metrics for use in future studies.

Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku: Potential for Physiological and Psychological Interventions during Uncertain Times

“…Two of the studies did not include a connection or relationship with nature questionnaire [ 61 , 62 ] though the studies took place in an outdoor setting. The studies included both survey [ 60 , 63 , 64 ] and interventional [ 61 , 62 , 65 ] studies. All studies used convenience sampling and one study did have a small control group [ 61 ].…”

“…All studies used convenience sampling and one study did have a small control group [ 61 ]. The search also included two pilot studies [ 61 , 62 ].…”

“…The purpose of three of the studies was to determine the relationship between nature, mindfulness, and psychological wellbeing outcomes [ 60 , 63 , 64 ]. The remaining study purposes were to examine the effects of mindfulness training within an outdoor nature environment [ 61 , 62 , 65 ].…”

“…The results showed overall, that there is a significant positive correlation between nature, mindfulness, and measures of psychological wellbeing. Two studies discussed the positive benefits of mindfulness training in nature with the reduction of the burden of illness related to the intervention [ 61 , 62 ] by as much as 40% [ 61 ]. Specific psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, and psychological stress showed significant benefits from mindfulness in nature [ 60 , 65 ].…”

“…Connection or relatedness to nature scores was correlated to an increase in mindfulness [ 60 , 63 , 64 ] and measures psychological wellbeing [ 60 , 63 , 64 , 65 ]. Mindfulness was positively correlated with measures of psychological wellbeing [ 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 65 ].…”